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Expressing thoughts from a deep and meaningful perspective
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and techniques, one can avoid the diligent process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people's hearts.
In my opinion, relying on tips and tricks alone is not enough for a Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. When you have this strong spiritual foundation combined with good songwriting skills, there is no need to rely on shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible to you, especially when you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
Photograph taken by Laura E. Partain
The modern era of instant gratification and quick consumption has influenced us to adopt a mindset that expects immediate results, similar to the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song in less than three seconds that will impress everyone.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a long-lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting and communicate their message at a profound level. They don't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and miraculously end up with masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the influential figures, they were already devoted to studying and striving for excellence in their artistic endeavors. They consistently dedicated themselves to learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies to construct captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with and touch the emotions of their audience. They aimed to create something with an indescribable but undeniable "WOW" factor that can be recognized and appreciated instantly.
Professional golfer Gary Player once said that the more he practices, the more fortunate he becomes. In other words, Player believes that consistent effort and dedication in his training ultimately leads to better outcomes and opportunities.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in an attempt to take advantage. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly learning and practicing advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are investing their time and effort to develop their skills at a much higher level than most aspiring writers are willing to commit to their own craft.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's uplifting rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this is especially true for the rising star in Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. Despite her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" appearing to have gained viral success by luck, that is not the case. Katy has been dedicated to her music for many years. We applaud her efforts and achievements.
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various methods to nurture and enhance your inner life. Here are three key points to consider while striving to deepen your faith and convey it through your music.
It is important to make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced and overwhelming world, we often have very little time to take care of ourselves. While it is essential to show care and support to others, we must also remember that neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. Taking care of ourselves is crucial for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is closely connected to the well-being of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of nurturing their minds and instead focus solely on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs as the essential elements of a holy life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of reading extensively. They recognize that it is impossible to craft remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in a wealth of knowledge. If you have not engaged in reading since college or even high school, it is vital for you to return to books. Merely consuming fear-inducing news from television networks or cable channels does not suffice. If you desire to create something impactful that will endure beyond your own lifetime, it is imperative to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is purely focused on generating fear in order to increase ratings. Even channels that claim to be "Christian" rely on making you angry so that you'll continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators maintain their positions by attracting viewers and securing sponsorships. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and stifles your creativity. Consider abstaining from any form of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positivity starts to radiate in your music. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to create their music by drawing from their deep connection with God. However, their accomplishments can also be attributed to their talent and expertise as Christian songwriters. It reminds me of the famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on honing your Christian songwriting skills, it is important to also focus on nurturing your inner self. It is crucial to bring something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply recycling the same old phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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